Tablet dispensing device



1%? J. A. SILVEEJR, 5mm.

TABLET DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Aug. 4, 1965 United States Patent 3,323,688 TABLET DISPENSING DEVICE John A. Silver, .Ir., 345 E. 81st St. 10021, and David Sher, 152 W. 49th St. 10019, both of New York, N .Y.

Filed Aug. 4, 1 965, Ser. No. 477,245

3 Claims. (Cl. 222-361) This invention relates generally to the field of dispensing devices, and more particularly to an improved form thereof, particularly adapted for the dispensing of vitamin tablets and similar small pellets for use by children. Devices of this general type are known in the art, and the invention lies in specific constructional details permitting advantageous use.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide a dispenser of the class described in which the contents thereof may be maintained in sterile condition during the period in which portions of the contents are being progressively removed.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved dispensing device having interlock means to prevent withdrawal of more than one tablet without I operation of said interlock means, thereby preventing a very young child from appropriating an excessive dosage without knowledge ofaparent.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved dispenser device possessed of the above advantages, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use. A i

Stilbanother object of the invention lies in the provision of a device of the class described capable of handling pills or tablets of awide variety of configuration without adjustments.

A feature of the embodiment lies in the fact that the same may be constructed almost entirely of injection molded synthetic resinous parts, in which commercial tolerances are not of a critical nature.

Another feature of the invention lies in the ease with which the device may be conveniently assembled.

Yet another feature of the invention lies in the unusually attractive appearance of the disclosed embodiments, whereby the same may provide aesthetically pleasing packaging.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a view in elevation of an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal central sectional View thereof showing the same in inverted position for dispensing a tablet or pill.

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view thereof as seen from the plane 3-3 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a view in elevation showing an alternate form of slide.

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal sectional view corresponding to FIGURE 2, but showing a second embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view as seen from the plane 6-& in FIGURE 5.

In accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: a main body element 11, a dispensing element 13, a dispensing member 14 and a cap element 15.

3,323,688 Patented June 6, 1967 The main body element 11 includes a hollow cylindrical tube 16 extending from a lower circular edge 17, and including an inner surface 18 and an outer surface 19. An angular projection or bead 20 is disposed adjacent an upper edge 21, which edge also defines an upper end wall 22 having an inner surface 23, an outer surface 24 and an eccentrically disposed opening 25.

The dispensing element 13, like the main body element 12, is preferably formed as a synthetic resinous molding, and is bounded by an outer surface 29 which may be provided with suitable ornamentation 30. An axially disposed recess 31 extends into the body of the element 13, and is bounded by a side wall 32 having an annular groove 33 engageable with the projection or head 20, and a circular end wall 34 corresponding in diameter to the outer diameter of the main body element 11. Extending downwardly (as seen in FIGURE 2) from the end wall 34 is an eccentrically disposed bore 35, which interconnects at the inner end thereof with a transversely disposed bore 36 of rectangular cross-section. The bore 36 is bounded by an end wall 37, an upper wall 38, side walls 39 and 39a, and a lower wall 40. The bore communicates with the outer surface 29 at a side opening 42.

The dispensing member 14 is of generally elongated configuration, being bounded by end surfaces 44 and 45, side surfaces 46 and 46a, an upper surface 47 and a lower surface 48. Extending from the upper surface 47 is a cylindrical recess 49 corresponding in. diameter to the bore 35 and selectively alignable therewith. Extending downwardly from the upper wall 38 of the bore 36 is a projection 50 which engages the end of a recessed portion 51, and the upwardly extending projection 52 on the dispensing member. In normal position, the projection 52 projects upwardly as seen in FIGURE 2 just past the horizontal plane of the lowermost portion of the projection 50, so that the member 14 may be snapped into position within the element 13 on assembly of the: device. In a similar manner, the main body element 111 is snapped into engagement with the element 13, wherein relative rotational movement is possible.

The cap element 15 may be a metallic stamping or synthetic resinous molding, and includes an end wall 56, a cylindrical wall 57 and a rim 58 which prevents the cap from being pushed into the main body element 11. The cap element 15 will normally be engaged with the main body element 11 after the latter has been filled with a supply of tablets 60.

In order to dispense a single tablet 60 from the device 10, the same is inverted from the position shown in FIG- URE l to that shown in FIGURE 2, and the main body element 11 is rotated relative to the dispensing element 13 to a point where index marks 60 and 61 are aligned. This movement will serve to align the eccentrically disposed opening 25 with the bore 35 wherein a tablet will pass under the action of gravity therethrough. The main body element 11 may be then again rotated to disalign the index marks, thereby sealing the remainder of the contents thereof. The dispensing member 14 may then be withdrawn to a point where the projections 50 and 52 come into mutual contact, the tablet 60 having in the meantime positioned itself within the recess 49, being then exposed for removal which may be easily accomplished by returning the device to the position shown in FIGURE 1. Should the device be left with a small child, he will be unable to obtain more than one tablet without again aligning the index marks 61 and d2, which may be made sufficiently small so as to be unobtrusive to him.

In the alternate form of the first embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 4, the cylindrical recess 49 is replaced by a through bore 49a, making the reinversion of the device to the position shown in FIGURE 1 unnecessary.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the inven tion, parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment have been designated by similar reference characters with. the additional prefix 1.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the provision of additional means for assuring; that the dispensing member 114 cannot be withdrawnv while the bore 135 is aligned with the opening 125, this being accomplished by mounting the projection 150 on the upper end wall 122, and providing an additional bore 65 in the element 113. The projection 150 includes a curved wall 166, and a bar-like member 167 which blocks movement of the member 114 unless the opening 125 and bore 135 are disaligned.

We wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. In a tablet-dispensing device, a hollow main body element of generally cylindrically configuration for retaining a supply of tablets, and having a circular planar wall at one end thereof, said wall having an eccentrically disposed opening therethrough, a dispensing element engaged upon said main body element for mutual relative rotation therebetween about an axis passing through said main body and dispensing elements, said dispensing element having an eccentrically disposed bore therein having a principal axis parallel to said axis of rotation and selectively alignable with said opening for the passage of tablets therethrough, said dispensing element having a second bore therein having a principal axis intersecting at a substantial angle said first bore, and a dispensing member slidably disposed Within said second bore for reciprocation between first and second positions, said dispensing member having a recess for receiving individual tablets When in said first position, said recess extending outwardly of said dispensing element when said dispensing member is in said second position.

2. In a tablet-dispensing device, a hollow main body element of generally cylindrically configuration for retaining a supply of tablets, and having a circular planar wall at one end thereof, said wall having an eccentrically disposed opening therethrough, a dispensing element engaged upon said main body element for mutual relative rotation therebetween about an axis assing through said main body and dispensing elements, said dispensing element having an eccentrically disposed bore therein having a principal axis parallel to said axis of rotation and selectively aligna'ble with said opening for the passage of tablets therethrough, said dispensing element having a second bore therein having a principal axis intersecting at a substantial angle said first bore, and a dispensing member slidably disposed within said second bore for reciprocation between first and second positions, said dispensing member having a through opening for receiving a tablet when in said first position, said through opening extending outwardly of said dispensing element when said dispensing member is in said second position.

3. Structure in accordance with claim 1, further characterized in the provision of means for preventing movement of said dispensing member from said first position when said opening and said first bore are aligned.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 754,230 3/1904 McIntyre 222-366 2,059,608 11/1936 Rochester 222-361 2,558,251 6/1951 Holsted 222366 2,784,884 3/1957 Borie 222361 2,857,083 10/1958 Masterson 222361 3,125,260 3/1964 Dreps.

FOREIGN PATENTS 321,499 10/1934 Italy.

WALTER SOBIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A TABLET-DISPENSING DEVICE, A HOLLOW MAIN BODY ELEMENT OF GENERALLY CYLINDRICALLY CONFIGURATION FOR RETAINING A SUPPLY OF TABLETS, AND HAVING A CIRCULAR PLANAR WALL AT ONE END THEREOF, SAID WALL HAVING AN ECCENTRICALLY DISPOSED OPENING THERETHROUGH, A DISPENSING ELEMENT ENGAGED UPON SAID MAIN BODY ELEMENT FOR MUTUAL RELATIVE ROTATION THEREBETWEEN ABOUT AN AXIS PASSING THROUGH SAID MAIN BODY AND DISPENSING ELEMENTS, SAID DISPENSING ELEMENT HAVING AN ECCENTRICALLY DISPOSED BORE THEREIN HAVING A PRINCIPAL AXIS PARALLEL TO SAID AXIS OF ROTATION AND SELECTIVELY ALIGNABLE WITH SAID OPENING FOR THE PASSAGE OF TABLETS THERETHROUGH, SAID DISPENSING ELEMENT HAVING A SECOND BORE THEREIN HAVING PRINCIPAL AXIS INTERSECTING AT A SUBSTANTIAL ANGLE SAID FIRST BORE, AND A DISPENSING MEMBER SLIDABLY DISPOSED WITHIN SAID SECOND BORE FOR RECIPROCATION BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS, SAID DISPENSING MEMBER HAVING A RECESS FOR RECEIVING INDIVIDUAL TABLETS WHEN IN SAID FIRST POSITION, SAID RECESS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY OF SAID DISPENSING ELEMENT WHEN SAID DISPENSING MEMBER IS IN SAID SECOND POSITION. 